20 Mar 2023 Vibrant Village Programme

Vibrant Village Programme

This article covers “Daily current events “and the topic is about the ” Vibrant Village Programme” which is in news, it covers “Government Policies and Interventions” In GS-2, the following content has relevance for UPSC.

For Prelims: Vibrant Village Programme

For Mains: GS-2, Government Policies and Interventions

Why in news: Cabinet approves Centrally Sponsored Scheme- “Vibrant Villages Programme” for the Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26 with financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore.

About Vibrant Village Programme

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Centrally Sponsored Scheme- “Vibrant Villages Programme” (VVP) for the Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26 with a financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore.
• Aim: Comprehensive development of villages of blocks on the northern border thus improving the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.
  • This will help in encouraging people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reversing the outmigration from these villages adding to improved security of the border.
• Roadmap: The scheme will provide funds for:
  • Development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 Districts and 46 Border blocks 4 states and 1 UT along the northern land border of the country which will help in achieving inclusive growth and retaining the population in the border areas.
  • In the first phase, 663 Villages will be taken up in the programme.
  • Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district administration with the help of Gram Panchayats. 100% saturation of Central and state schemes will be ensured.

Vibrant Village Programme

• A key highlight of the Vibrant Village Programme: The scheme aids to identify and develop the economic drivers based on local natural human and other resources of the border villages on the northern border and the development of growth centres on the “Hub and Spoke Model.” This will be done through the:
  • Promotion of social entrepreneurship
  • Empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship
  • Leveraging the tourism potential through the promotion of local cultural, and traditional knowledge of heritage
  • Development of sustainable eco-agribusinesses on the concept of “One village-One product” through community-based organisations, Cooperatives, SHGs, NGOs etc.

• organisations, Cooperatives, SHGs, NGOs etc.

• Key outcomes of the Vibrant Village Programme:
  • Connectivity with all-weather roads.
  • Drinking water.
  • 24×7 electricity – Solar and wind energy are to be given focused attention.
  • Mobile and Internet connectivity.
  • Tourist centres, multi-purpose centres and health and wellness Centers.
• Significance of the Vibrant Village Programme:
  • This plan will revolutionise our border communities with China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar shortly.
  • All basic amenities, such as modern houses and adequate roads; water and electricity supply; good education, health, and communication facilities; and access to Doordarshan channels, are supplied to border communities.
  • This will serve to encourage people to stay in their native locations in border areas, reversing migration from these communities and contributing to improved border security.

What are the Challenges faced by Himalayan States?

• Social: The Parliamentary Standing Committee highlighted the illiteracy, backwardness, and lack of basic facilities in our border communities in 2018.
• Unplanned Urbanisation:
  • This has resulted in a blockage of the natural flow of water, resulting in regular landslides.
  • Himalayan slopes have grown very unstable in recent decades as a result of increased building, hydroelectric projects, and National Highway enlargement.
• Issue of Migration: Migration is frequent in the Himalayas, with many men leaving the countryside to find work in cities.
• Security threats: For decades, Himalayan border settlements remained undeveloped.
  • Seeing an opportunity, China expanded its influence along Indian borders by swiftly constructing infrastructure and strengthening its military presence.
  • India has also experienced similar setbacks along the Pakistan border.
  • Terrorist activity has also escalated along the Burma border.
• Subsidence of towns:
  • Subsidence similar to that witnessed in Joshimath has been documented in several other Himalayan towns.
• Ecology under pressure:
  • Due to population growth, deforestation, and industrial and commercial activities, the fragile ecology is under massive pressure.
• Climate Change:
  • The implications of climate change are particularly concerning in mountain areas, notably the influence on the region’s water supply, which supplies nearly 1.3 billion people living downstream.
  • The frequency of floods and droughts appears to be increasing, as does the demand for water, food, and energy.

Conclusion

• The people who live in border villages are our first line of defence; they are our sentinels. The Vibrant Village Programme is an essential and laudable programme that will solve all of the Himalayan states’ difficulties and challenges.
• This will not only make our borders safer and more secure, but it will also pull distant and border settlements into the national mainstream, making them more dynamic, developed, and self-sufficient.

Source:

• PIB
• Indian Express

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Yojna IAS daily current affairs eng med 20th March 2023

saurabh kaushik